7 Editor-Approved American Hotels to Add to Your Travel Itinerary This Summer
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Looking to get away from it all? Nothing beats the delight of checking into a great hotel—and this season’s crop of stateside hotel openings, carefully curated by our team of ardent luxury-stay prospectors, is a standout attestation of American hospitality at its best. Kick off your close-toed shoes at the Rosewood Hotel Kona Village on the Big Island of Hawaii, designed by ELLE DECOR A-List designer Nicole Hollis; tour the secret summer hideaway of the rich and famous on Martha’s Vineyard at Faraway Hotel, a revitalized pub turned vacay mainstay; or hone your inner literary voice at Portland, Maine’s Longfellow Hotel, which is poetic in any sense of the word. So set that out-of-office email, pack your bags, and bid adieu to responsibility for a week. Unhurried bliss is just a reservation away.
Kona Village, Kailua-Kona, Hawaii
What do you get when a storied resort is brought into the 21st century? This idyllic resort on Hawaii’s Big Island. The first Kona Village opened in 1965. Now, thanks to ownership by Rosewood Hotels, the destination (opening July 1) is newly ready for your fix of R&R. ELLE DECOR A-List designer Nicole Hollis oversaw the hotel’s interiors, as well as its four restaurants and bars. And if you’re not indulging in a luxurious spa treatment or beachside activities, you can nab a drink at the Shipwreck Bar, housed in a former schooner that belonged to the resort’s original owner. Sun seeking is literally at the heart of Kona Village, which will be entirely solar powered. Along with an emphasis on sustainability, the hotel prides itself on the history of the land upon which it is built.
The Longfellow Hotel, Portland, Maine
If you’re looking for a poetic Down East experience, look no further than the Longfellow Hotel, a property that pays homage to Portland, Maine’s most famous son, Henry Wadsworth Longfellow—with a wellness-themed twist. Seizing on the city’s reputation as a weekend destination, this boutique hotel offers a spa, café, and inspired lobby bar, all a short ride away from the city’s Old Port. The charming interiors are designed by Post Company, the team behind New York favorites like Inness hotel in upstate New York and Raf’s restaurant in Manhattan.
Wayfinder Waikiki, Honolulu
The new Wayfinder Hotel in the Waikiki neighborhood of Honolulu will not disappoint. The bright colors, surf-themed furniture, and locally sourced art in the 228-room hotel are all inspired by Hawaii’s lush tropical surroundings. The hotel also includes Lost + Found, a new speakeasy bar, as well as Redfish, which promises the best poke around.
The Faraway Hotel, Martha’s Vineyard, Massachusetts
The Obamas, James Taylor, Carly Simon, and Bill Murray have all called Martha’s Vineyard home. And now, the Faraway Hotel in Edgartown can welcome overnight guests or those looking to get a glimpse of the island’s famous summer residents. As with Kona Village, this hotel opening marks a revamp of a beloved property, the Kelley House. ELLE DECOR A-List firm Workshop/APD worked to breathe new life into the boutique hotel—which, in addition to its well-appointed rooms, includes a pool and spa—and its two restaurants, the Pelican Club and the Newes of America, both local favorites.
The Norumbega Inn, Camden, Maine
If you’re sensing a theme among these new hotels, it’s that everything old is new again, and the same applies to the Norumbega Inn in Camden, Maine. Built in 1885, the inn was originally home to Joseph Barker Stearns, who was known for, among other accomplishments, modernizing the fire alarm and inventing the double telegraph. Stearns considered coastal Camden the most beautiful place on earth with its views of Penobscot Bay. Fast-forward nearly 140 years, and the home (which became a hotel in 1984) has been renovated and reinvented by William Tims and Brett Haynie. The 11-room boutique hotel is minutes away from two state parks and, for the winter visitor, skiing at the Camden Snow Bowl.
Le Petit Pali, Carmel, California
Whether you’re seeking a weekend retreat from the bustle of San Francisco or simply looking for an idyllic beach getaway, consider booking in to Le Petit Pali, a charming duo of bed-and-breakfast-style properties in Carmel-by-the-Sea, opening this July. Le Petit Pali at Ocean Avenue includes 34 guest rooms, and Le Petit Pali at 8th Avenue has 24 guest rooms. Designed by hotelier Avi Brosh and the in-house design team at L.A.-based hospitality group Palisociety, the rooms have charming upholstered floral furniture and dreamy cottage motifs. Each suite is equipped with amenities from Diptyque and a mini bar showcasing local purveyors.
The St. Regis Chicago
Living above it all gets new meaning at the St. Regis Chicago. Perched alongside the Chicago River and spread across 11 floors of a 101-story skyscraper designed by Studio Gang (the building is the Windy City’s third tallest), this luxurious new hotel offers sprawling vistas and sumptuous accommodations, not to mention two highly anticipated new restaurants, Miru and Tre Dita. Call it first-class living in the Second City, but you wouldn’t expect anything less from a brand like the St. Regis.
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